Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-16

stream ia the defence OF tho cause which
they both believed to he right
Mr.. Williams refutcd the statement
that the Democrats caused the defeat OF
this measure, as claimedby Mr.. Hucard,
and quoted from the record 10 sub
siantiate bis statement. lie continued
10 argue the subject iorcibly and to show
that the Republican, claims were all
false, and that they had had twenty-five
years in which TO repeal this war tax IL
they so desired.
Mr. Mcdonald claimed that the
war debt had inst been paid, and
Mr. Williams replied that the great debt
Of the United States had not been paid,
and that the income irom internal-reve-
nue. taxes but slightly exceeded the cost
of collecting them.
RHEA SUBSTITUTE ADoPTFD.
When both political parties had been
given full hearing and the matter had
been thoroughly ventilated voting be-
gan. Mr.. Hodgess proposition was over
whelmingly defeated, and the Rhea sub
stitute adopted by the following vote;
AYEs.-Messr-. Arthur. Barncs, Berry. BlscS-
stone. Dalton Dudley Edmuuds kliyson. Foxes,
Gillespie, Gordon, Harrison. ilealon, Hurt, Jones,
IOveusteiu. Moore Raw,iug-, Read, Rhea, Smo0t,
Staples Stubhs. Twyman, Wickham, ana VIII
liams-e5. -,
Lloyd and McDonaid-6
Mr.. Hodges was, on his motion, ex-
cusod from voting. BE was willing to
vote for the first proposition but not the
latter.
This was the most spirited discussion
Of the present session, and during the
time the lobby and gallery were both
filed with interested spectators.
Adjourned at 2:30
KOuse OF Delegates.
The House met at noon-Speaker
Cardwell in the chair. No prayer
QUALIFIED.
Mr.. Mayo. the delegate from North
cumberland, appeared at the Clerks desk
and was sworn i'll.
All the one hundred members have
now been sworn in.
TRANSCRIPTS.
The Clerk announced that the Speaker
had transferred Mr.. Dickey from the
Committee on Privileges and Elections
to the Committee on Executive Expendi-
lures, and Mr. Treat from the latter to
the former committee.
THE COMMISSIONER or AGRICULTURE.
Mr. Harris, of Albemarle, rose to a
question of personal privilege, and being
recognized by the Chair, read two or
three telegraphic dispatches concerning
the proceedings of the State Grange with
reference to the election Of Colonel
Thomas Whitehead as Commissioner OF
Agriculture.
Mr. Harris went ~on to declare with
warmth that Colonel Whitehead is
worthy; that he is competent, and that
50 far rs army service is concerned,
neither Colonel Randolph Harrison nor
any other man has n fairer record. He
then gave an account Of Colonel White
heads services to the cause OF agricul-
turc.
Mr.. Elan interrupted Mr.. Harris to
inquire if this is the same gentleman
rColonel Whitehead who is reported to
have said that there is not n spoonful OF
respectable blood in the Republican
party. ard. if so, to what department of
agricultural investigation this discovery
belongs.
Mr.. Harris did not directly respond to
this interrogatory, but referred to the
Coalition party as q dog with two tails,
and detailed the fact that he (Mr.
Harris) was Mozarter and voted for
William +. Cameron, and he went on to
say q good deal about the head and two
tails OF realiustment.
Mr.. Waddill May | ask the gentle
man n question?
Mr.. Harris: Certainly.
How much of the Readiuster party did
you all carry off?
Mr.. Harris [very quickly: We car
ried off the head and left the two tails.
TGreat laughter and applause
Mr.. Harris concluded i'll a eulogy
upon Colonel Whitehead, and in On en-
platte aud repeated declaration that
Colonel Whitehead was a very proper
man for the place in question.